The 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will be another opportunity for our athletes to put Tasmania on the map.
The Liberal Government today kick-started the Olympic Team fundraising appeal with a $60,000 contribution at the Tasmanian Olympic Council breakfast.
For a state of around 500,000 people we have proven time and time again to be a force in high-performance sport, regularly punching above our weight on the world stage.
At the 2012 London Games 15 Tasmanians competed, bringing home one silver and two bronze, and two athletes competed at the 2012 Paralympics, claiming one gold.
The achievements of Tasmania’s athletes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games are a credit to the individual, the teams, and the preparation and support provided by the Tasmanian Institute of Sport.
The TIS is working hard with Tasmania’s elite athletes, coaches and support staff to maintain and build the number of Tasmania’s Olympic athletes.
Though the Games are still two years away, the road to Rio is well underway and Tasmania is expected to have strong representations in disciplines such as rowing, hockey and cycling.
Tasmania has a very rich and proud sporting tradition. We love our sport and we love to see Tasmanians do well on the world stage.
We wish our high-performance athletes and their support staff all the best as they embark on the journey towards the 2016 Olympic Games.
Will Hodgman, Premier Minister for Sport and Recreation
